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William Craig Smith was born in Selma, Alabama, to John Randolph and Virginia Thompson Smith on April 22, 1952. He passed away on Monday, July 29, 2024. The Smiths lived on Tremont Street in the lovely Italianate Thompson family home where his mother had been raised. Sadly, that house, long since owned by others, was destroyed in the devastating tornadoes that hit Selma in January 2023.

Craig was educated in Selma’s Public Schools, graduating from A.G. Parrish High School in 1970, and from Auburn University in 1974. Following college he worked in several fields, learning new skills, earning respect for his varied competencies and making friends wherever he was. He was a hands-on learner who could fix anything and always looked for ways to improve his own and others’ performance on the job at Beechcraft or any other setting. After Beechcraft closed in Selma, he earned certification as a real estate broker and eventually achieved his life’s dream of moving to the Gulf Coast and living on the water. Though he was rarely without female company, he never settled down to marriage, preferring the freedom of bachelorhood.

Craig was part of a loyal group of friends from childhood and added numerous new friends of all ages he made along the way through his thoughtful, loving actions and volunteer involvement in his adopted hometown. Foley had been his home for decades and he loved life there, where he could boat and fish to his heart’s content. He enjoyed the regular visits of old friends and their parents, whom he guided to the best fishing spots. He liked to play the curmudgeon, but was a tender hearted, open friend to those he let into his circle. Invariably, they, like Craig, were unpretentious and accepting people.

Left to grieve him are his devoted older sister, Page Smith Poerschke (Peter) and their daughters, Page Poerschke Pitts (Randall) and their son, McLean, and Mabry Virginia Poerschke Hicks (Thomas) and their son, August, and nephew, Ryder, all of Birmingham.

He is also survived by his older brother, John Randolph “Randy” Smith Jr. (Cora), and their son, John Randolph “Rand” Smith III (Kayla), and their children, Phillip, Daniel and Hannah, all of Selma.

A Memorial Service to Celebrate Craig’s life will be held on Sunday, September 8, 2024, at 2 p.m. at the Wolfe-Bayview Foley Funeral Home Chapel with reception to follow. The service will be live-streamed.